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Monday, February 28, 2011

a lovely morning out with my girls. This morning: an appointment at the midwives, followed by a date at a coffee shop, and topped off with a visit to the train station to watch one huge freight train go by. I think all of us ladies decided the freight train was just too loud. Next year we'll have to give it a try with a baby boy in tow and see if he thinks otherwise.

Do you spy my taro bubble tea? Whew, that stuff is amazing. I am willing to walk many miles to find some bubble tea... those tapioca balls are just so fun.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

a nice old-fashioned planner. My husband has painstakingly showed me how all of my planning can really be done on a computer: there are programs, and automated reminders, and online planners. But somehow none of that is nearly as satisfying (or, in my case, effective) as an old fashioned pen to paper.

The past few weeks have been busy ones with a transition from one job to another-- this one part birth instructor, part business manager. I have had to up the ante as far as organization is concerned, and there is nothing quite like opening up a planner and having all of my daily tasks and appointments neatly written out. And doesn't it just make you feel accomplished to look back and realize you actually did take care of a few lasting things?

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

the hints of spring that are beginning to emerge. The daffodils are coming up, even though they are currently covered by a sprinkling of snow. The robins are hopefully looking for good nesting spots. And my own little birdies are testing the water each day, hoping that perhaps today is the day that a jacket is not necessary outside. And perhaps it's the optimist in me, but I'm really starting to believe that spring is right around the corner.

Friday, February 18, 2011

Thursday, February 17, 2011

new to us toys. I think most of our most treasured wooden toys have been found at the thrift store. They are beautiful, well-crafted, and usually cost one or two dollars. I can only imagine what they would cost new! Above: a wooden number "puzzle" that both girls have been enjoying and a little peak at Lily's pet caterpillar (she has actually learned the sound it makes when it rolls and reacts appropriately whenever she hears anyone is rolling her caterpillar). ;-)

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

doing housework in a pretty apron. It really makes the whole experience feel so much more poised and elegant. And over the course of the morning, it came in handy, too: to dry my hands, sweep a table, and wipe a runny nose (in that order), not to mention to protect my clothing from peanut butter.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

an evening out with this one all to myself. There are years the stars align and there are years they don't, and no matter what, my heart is so full. But after all these Valentines days spent together (Is it 12? 13? Can that be possible?), I am decidedly 100% a fan of the date night. And this Valentine's day was perfectly balmy for a February night-- warm enough for bare legs (and high heels, of course. This is a date night!).

And for those in the area, I would absolutely recommend going here. Deelicious!

(and go here for some more love in the family...and of course the love button to the right for some more love)

Friday, February 11, 2011

the way things get passed down from one little one to the next. As a little sister myself I can say this will probably continue for many years to come (although these days I find my big sister being the recipient of my hand me downs... after all those years, it's only fair, I guess). Above: a "naptime tunic" I made for Zosia being worn by little sister.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

It's a story today. Zosia's preschool teacher asked for a simple favor: Can you make some jello hearts for our Valentine's day party? Of course! Fast forward a week and a half later, as I unmold what can only be described as six light pink watery jellyfish from some heart muffin tins. They literally slink onto the plate, and Ben and I can only look at them and laugh (and then eat them of course!). I guess that the all natural vegan jello just doesn't have quite the same properties as the real thing.

Ben pops out to the grocery store right before it closes. At the checkout counter the clerk assumes he's making jello shots at home. A fair assumption when you have a 20 something guy buying six large packs of jello mix late at night. But here's the part I love: not only have Ben and I never had jello shots, he was buying them for his 3 1/2 year old's preschool class.

This time I make the jello according to a jigglers recipe. I say a prayer as I go to sleep, and what do you know, this morning it's just right for cutting into heart shapes. As I showed them to Zosia before we headed out the door, she could only say, "Oh, mama, they're beautiful! Thank you!"

Above: Our jello hearts and our preschooler with a "bag" full of valentines... re purposed from here).

Monday, February 7, 2011

dancing in the kitchen with my girls! I really must video tape it one of these days... those two have quite a repertoire of moves. Here's a very favorite dance tune around here that seems like the perfect way to start a week.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

the ever increasing scope of the human imagination. You may think you know this little girl. You may even believe you have met her. But today I introduce to you "Jane Cousin." She's 3 1/2, just like a certain daughter of mine, but she is decidedly a big girl.

Me: Tell me more about Jane Cousin.

"Jane": Well, I was going fishing today and I felt a little tug on my pole and I thought it was a shark but I looked up, there was a huge wale. So I tried to get away from it. It went after me, but then I was safe in my house and closed the door. And I lived happily ever after.

("Jane" leaves the dining room to go fishing in the living room).

Whew! Talk about a life of adventure. Oh, and Jane Cousin has an older brother named Dan. Who knew? So there you have it, a new member of the family. Or two.

I've been enjoying everyone elses "I love" posts so far! Remember to check out the button on the sidebar.

Friday, February 4, 2011

eating for two. Is it wrong for me to admit that this rule seems to apply more for dessert than for dinner? This baby will be composed of a double helping of dessert and a nice bedtime snack... seems like the right idea to me.

(above: last week's special treat, carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. Not that I would put it beyond myself to make a special dessert two days in a row)

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

a certain apple of my eye who has blossomed into a real bona fide dad. He does all those dad things, like smoke a pipe in the evening, wear slippers around the house, gather the children in his arms as they celebrate his return home, and, as a friend pointed out, purchase cashews in pieces and eat them with a spoon because "I'm not going to pay extra for a whole cashew." A full fledged dad, I would say.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

It's February? Well, here we are. Over here we have been getting all excited about Valentine's Day. I'm definitely participating in Kerry's "I love" party again this year, because, as Zosia's preschool teacher put it, February can be a gloomy month so it's nice to make a lot out of Valentine's day.

I am always looking for sweet little songs to sing to Lily at bedtime (it's time to put those Christmas carols aside, I'm afraid), and as I have a very low aptitude for remembering lyrics, I thought this one was just perfect. Aren't the words just the most lovely mantra for parenthood?

And in other news, I have finally crossed the threshold into the realm of "absolutely, undeniably pregnant." We had some friends over for dinner a couple of weeks ago, one of whom we hadn't seen for a few months, and he ever so discreetly pulled someone aside to ask,"Is there another little one on the way?" Oh, it gave me a good chuckle. It's nice to be wearing my joy on my sleeve (or, on my belly, as it so happens), because people will just stop me to say congratulations and it's just perfect. In truth, this is when my favorite part of pregnancy begins.